Holder for photoprints and the like



Dec. 17, 1957 K. R. HIRVONEN HOLDER FOR PHOTOPRINTS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1954 a N r m .W M w m H N G N Y w f n K 6 23 m 5 2 fi0 /.m2HW .l \l I I 0 G m 8 7W 4 ll 2 K wi v f Z(\\MJW.ZW. M

United States Patent.

HOLDERlFOR PHOTOPRINTS AND THE LIKE Kenneth R. Hirvonen, Van Dyke, Mich. Application September 1, 1954', Serial No. 453,490

3 Claims. (CI. 40-16) This invention relates to improvements in viewingholders for photoprints" and the like, the primaryobject of the like, and which is in such. form that theidevice-may be used as a decorative element on a table, desk, or the like, and serve as a permanent protective container for the prints or the like.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated above which can be made in rugged, serviceable, and attractive forms, of a variety of materials, at relatively low cost.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of such form, showing photoprints in place therein, a single photoprint being shown in phantom lines in partly inserted or withdrawn position;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, with the cover section shown partly removed in phantom lines; and

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts through the several views, the numeral 5 generally designates the illustrated holder, which comprises a U-shaped body section A and a cover section B.

The body section A comprises a preferably rectangular cross section, transversely elongated block 6 having top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8, respectively, an outer side 9, an inner side 10, and end surfaces 11.

Integral with or otherwise suitably secured to the inner side 10 of the block 6 is a pair of similar longitudinally elongated side walls 12, 12, having outer sides 13, 13 flush with the end surfaces 11 of the block 6 and bottom edges 14, 14 flush with the bottom surface S of the block 6, and upper edges 15, 15 flush with the top surface 7 of the block 6.

The side walls 12, 12 have outer ends 16, 16 which are longitudinally spaced from the inner side 18 of the block 6 at a distance not substantially longer than the length of photoprints 17 or the like to be held in the holder 5, and the laterally inward sides 18, 18 of the side walls 12, 12 are spaced from each other at a distance slightly less than the width of photoprints 17 to be held in the holder, in the slightly transversely bowed ice condition of such prints resulting from processing of the prints.

At alevel somewhat below the upper edges 15, 15 of the side walls 12, 12 are laterally inwardly projecting shoulders 19, 19 which are parallel to the upper edges 15, 15. In order to provide easier access to "prints 17 or the like present in the holder 5, the shoulders 19, 19 have outwardly and upwardly beveled surfaces 20, 20 which intersect the upper edges 15, 15 of the side walls 12.

The inward sides 18, 18 of the side walls 12, 12 are knurled with longitudinal, closely vertically spaced ribs or ridges 21, between which the prints 17 or the like are retainably and slidably engaged.

In placing prints 17 or the like in the body" section A, one or more prints, in upwardly bowed condition, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, are manually'inserted between the side walls 12, 12 either by sliding them longitudinally into a place between the spaced ends of the sidewalls 12, 12 or by pressing them upwardly, into place, against the shoulders 19, 19, through the open space between the side walls. Upper ones of 'a stack of prints 17 or the like, including the topmost print exposed to view from above the shoulders 19, 19 may be slid with the fingers, endwise out of the opening between the ends 16, 16 of the side walls12; and lower prints in a stack may be similarly removed from the bottom of the stack.

The upper surface 7 of the block 6 is provided with a central longitudinal thumb groove 22 which facilitates holding and handling the body section A, and manipulation of prints 17 or the like therein.

The cover section B comprises a preferably clear plastic, box-like form which slidably fits over the body section A so as to completely enclose the section A and protect prints 17 or the like present therein, from dust, dirt, heat, moisture, and contact damage, and which permits of viewing prints 17 or the like, if desired, while the cover section B is in place.

The cover section B has an open end 23 and a closed end wall 24, which in the installed condition of the cover section are preferably flush with the outer side 9 of the block 6, and in abutment with the open end edges 16, 16 of the side walls 12, 12, respectively. The cover section B has a top wall 25 slidably engaging the top surface 7 of the block 6, side walls 26, 26 slidably engaging the outer sides 13, 13 of the side walls 12, 12 and the ends 11 of the block 6, and a bottom wall 27 slidably engaging the bottom surface 8 of the block 6 and the lower edges 14, 14 of the side walls 12, 12.

What is claimed is:

1. In a holder for photoprints and the like, a body section consisting of a block having opposite ends, outer and inner sides, and top and bottom surfaces, fixed laterally spaced elongated side walls on the inner side of the block at the ends thereof, said side walls extending in a direction away from said inner side of the block and having free ends remote from the block, said side walls having inner sides and upper edges, shoulders on and extending along the inner sides of the side walls at the upper edges of the side walls and projecting laterally inwardly from the side walls, said side walls having free and unencumbered lower edges, said shoulders being spaced upwardly from the free lower edges of the side walls, the inner sides of the side walls between the shoulders and the free lower edges of the side walls having vertically spaced longitudinal ridges thereon with which side edges of prints wider than the distance between the inner sides of the side walls are adapted to be engaged with the prints in transversely bowed condition.

2. In a holder for photoprints and the like, a body secto tion consisting of a block having opposite ends, outer and inner sides, and top and bottom surfaces, fixed laterally spaced elongated side walls on the inner side of the block at the ends thereof, said side walls extending in a direction away from said inner side of the block and having free ends remote from the block, said side walls having inner sides and upper edges, shoulders on and extending along the inner sides of the side Walls at the upper edges of the side walls and projecting laterally inwardly from the side walls, said side walls having free and unencumbered lower edges, said shoulders being spaced upwardly from the free lower edges of the side walls, the inner sides of the side walls between the shoulders and the free lower edges of the side walls having vertically spaced longitudinal ridges thereon with which side edges of prints wider than the distance between the inner sides of the side Walls are adapted to be engaged with the prints in transversely bowed condition, said shoulders having upper sides which decline laterally inwardly in directions away from the side walls and which facilitate pressing prints downwardly between and below the shoulders into engagement with the ridges on the side Walls.

3. In a holder for photoprints and the like, a body section consisting of a block having opposite ends, outer and inner sides, and top and bottom surfaces, fixed laterally spaced elongated side walls on the inner side of the block at the ends thereof, said side walls extending in a direction away from said inner side of the block and having free ends remote from the block, said side walls having inner sides and upper edges, shoulders on and extending along the inner sides of the side walls at the upper edges of the side walls and projecting laterally inwardly from the side walls, said side Walls having free and unencumbered lower edges, said shoulders being spaced upwardly from the free lower edges of the side walls, the upper edges of the side walls being flush with the top surface of the block and the lower edges of the side walls being flush with the bottom surface of the block, and an open and transparent cover section comprising top and bottom walls, side walls, and a closed end wall, said cover being substantially as long as said body section and removably engaged on said body section with its bottom wall sliadbly engaged with the lower edges of the side walls and the bottom surface ofthe block, its side walls slidably engaged with the outer sides of the body section side walls, and with its top wall slidably engaged with the upper edges of the body section side walls and with the top surface of the block, and with its closed end wall engaged with the free ends of the body section side walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 45,648 Smith Dec. 27, 1864 374,509 Thum Dec. 6, 1887 1,020,175 Arnold Mar. 12, 1912 1,402,332 Wiehl Jan. 3, 1922 2,548,706 Corning Apr. 10, 1951 

